The East Bengal euphoria

On Kolkata’s Maidan, young footballers trained under the shade of giant banyan and peepal trees between Aryan Club and Masseurs Club. Nearby, streams of supporters in red-and-yellow jerseys -- some alone, others with friends and families -- headed towards the historic East Bengal club tent, eager to glimpse the Indian Super League trophy that had long eluded the club.

This reporter, on yesterday’s stopover en route to the SAFF Women’s Championship in Goa, joined the crowds as East Bengal FC celebrated their 2-1 win over Inter Kashi at Kishore Bharati Krirangan Stadium on May 21, ending a 22-year wait for a top-tier league title.

Inside, supporters posed for photos while others tried to touch the trophy, only to be stopped by veteran employee Biswajit Majumdar: “Don’t touch it! Please don’t touch it!”

East Bengal have dominated the Calcutta Football League with 41 titles and won 17 trophies since the professional I-League era. Yet India’s top-flight crown had eluded them until this season, making the triumph emotionally significant beyond Kolkata given the club’s wider cultural resonance.

Founded in 1920 by migrants from East Bengal, now Bangladesh, the club has deep historical links across the border. Legendary Bangladeshi footballers such as Monem Munna, Rizvi Karim Rumi, Sheikh Mohammad Aslam and Golam Gaus once represented East Bengal and played key roles in their 1991 Calcutta Football League triumph.

That cross-border football connection is also reflected in coaching and playing pathways. Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon, who previously guided Bangladesh heavyweights Bashundhara Kings to four league titles, while Brazilian midfielder Miguel Figueira was part of their serial-winning core.

“Supporting East Bengal -- it’s in our blood,” said supporter Subro Shaha, whose grandfather moved to Kolkata from Dhaka.

“It feels incredible because we waited 22 years for this,” he added. “Our rivals Mohun Bagan had already won it, so we desperately wanted this too. The atmosphere before the final was unbelievable -- strangers hugged each other, people played with colours, and everyone celebrated together. Fans will remember this for the rest of their lives.”

Another supporter, Babai Chakrabarti, called it the end of “22 years and 22 days” of waiting. “We never stopped believing,” he said.

The club’s media manager Parijat Maitro said two giant screens were installed at the practice ground for around 5,000 to 6,000 supporters during the decisive match against Kashi, as tickets at the 9,000-capacity Kishore Bharati Krirangan Stadium cost between Rs 500 and Rs 2,500 -- far above the usual Rs 100.

“Those who watched on the giant screens stayed until midnight waiting for the team to return with the trophy,” said Parijat, whose grandfather moved to Kolkata in 1960 for work.

“Normally around 50 people visit the museum daily since it opened in 2022, but since the triumph countless supporters arrive just to see the trophy,” added Parijat, who once watched Bangladeshi stars Rumi, Munna, Aslam and Gaus from the stands.

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Caption Photo: STAR

East Bengal’s triumph coincides with English club Arsenal also ending a 22-year wait for a league title -- two different worlds briefly linked by time, both closing long chapters of patience and near-misses.